Device for training horses



(N0 Modll) J. S. WEATHERS. v DEVICE FOR TRAINING HORSES. No. 580,965. Patented Apr. 20, 1897.

UNITE STATES ATENT Fries.

JOE S. WEATI-IERS, OF LLANO, CALIFORNIA.

DEVICE FOR TRAINING HORSES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 580,965, dated April 20, 1897. Application filed July 6, 1896. Serial No. 59 8,257. (No model.)

To all whmn it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOE S. WEATHERS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Llano, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented a certain new and useful Device for Breaking Horses; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to devices for breaking horses, and its prime objects are to provide a simple, light, and efficient device which can be quickly and readily adjusted to accommodate horses of various sizes and by the use of which every possible and objectionable action of the horse can be successfully prevented and only such action aiming to the performance of a desired gait allowed.

In carrying out the above prime results I have aimed at structural simplicity and economy and particularly the freedom of action of the various parts.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear and the novel features thereof will be particularly set forth in the appended claims.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings,-and in the several views shown like letters of reference indicate like parts, and in which- Figure 1 is a view of a horse, showing the relative positions of the parts of my device positioned thereon. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the rollers employed, showing their connections. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the rope and buckle. Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the detached rope-buckle.

Referring now to the above views by letter, H represents an ordinary surcingle, secured to the animal in the usual manner, and from which depend the main portions of my invention. Immediately beneath the center of .the surcingle H and adapted to roll or loosely adjust itself laterally thereon is suspended the roller A, from opposite extremities of the axle of which leads downward the metal frame which terminates at its center in the swivel D. Connected to this swivel D and immediately beneath it is a suitable metal frame, which revolubly supports the peripherally-dished pulleyB. Immediatelybeneath lower extremity of the frame of the pulley B.

The general arrangement of the additional parts of my invention relative to the animal are clearly shown in Fig. 1. A rope leads from the left hind pastern-joint or ankle over the upper pulley B and is connected to the right fore ankle by a snap-hook G, which latter engages with a ring retained on the ankle by a strap. (Shown in Fig. 1.) The right hind ankle and left fore ankle are similarly connected by a secondary rope which passes over the lower pulley C and is secured by snap M. To express the above arrangement more generally, the lower extremities of diametrically opposite legs of the animal are connected by suitable ropes or cords, which at their points of crossing pass over the pulleys B and C.

The relative positions of the parts shown in Fig. 1 are directed to cause the horse to assume a trotting gait, while by simply reversing the position of the snaps G and M, thereby causing the ropes to assume a relatively parallel position, the horse will be forced either to walk or pace.

In order to adjust the lengths of the ropes described above to accommodate horses of various sizes, I have provided the rope-buckle shown indetail in Figs. 3 and 4, which consists of a main tubular portion J and a secondary tubular portion I, which is hinged at K to the portion J and is provided with the interior fangs or spurs L. These portions I and J are so cut away that when closed they will present a smooth surface and continuous interior bore. The rope is passed through the portions I and J in the manner shown in Fig. 3, the extremity being returned and knotted through a short depending tube formed integral with one extremity of the main tube J. It will be readily seen that when the secondary tube I is forced downward against the tube J the fangs L will enter the rope and securely lock it in the required position. It is further manifest that the mere act of causing the rope to become taut after occupying the position shown in Fig. 3 will accomplish, the locking of the buckle. Raising the tube I will immediately release the rope to permit adjustment. From the above description it will be readily seen that the adjustable nature of the roller A, swivels D and E, and supported pulleys B and C will permit of their delicately following the irregular action of the animal and reduce to a minimum the friction of the working parts of the device by retaining the perpendieularity of the axes of the pulleys with the direction of the ropes.

The exact position shown of the straps which secure the extremities of the ropes to the animal is not vital to the operation of my device, as they may be secured above the knees and hocks of the front and hind legs, respectively.

In the matter of the detachable swivel it is manifest that the lower pulley can be de tached from the upper-pulley frame, and a leader connecting the upper pulley with both forward feet or both hind feet will be quite effective in preventing the horse striking or kicking, respectively.

The construction and arrangement of the several parts of my invention being thus made known, the operation and the many advantages of the same will, it is thought, he readily understood.

Having thus fully described my invention,

what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a device for breaking animals, the combination with a surcingle, a roller supported by and adapted to roll on said surcingle, a series of pulley-frames swivelly connected to said roller, said pulley-frames being detachably and swivelly connected together, and ropes passing over said pulleys and 0011- nected to the feet of the animal substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a device of the class described the combination with a surcingle, a roller supported by and adapted to roll on said surcingle, a series of pulley-bearing frames swivelly conneeted to said roller and swivel] y and detachably conneeted together, ropes passing over said pulleys and connected to the feet of the animal, and an adjustable clamp connected to each of said ropes, said clamp being formed of two tubular sections so pivotally connected together that when closed they will present a continuous smooth interior surface substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

JOE S. \VEi TIIERS.

Vi tnesses:

1 1;. Sennnnn, H. A. LEwIs. 

